HC Deb 21 November 1997 vol 301 cc327-8W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee for what reasons it has been decided that mail should be delivered hourly to outbuildings; which committees and officials were consulted; if she will give the total added cost of such deliveries; and if she will make a statement. [17224]

Mrs. Roe

Two of the conclusions of the survey of Members, their staff and Departments of the House, which has been used to shape the mail services, were that there was a demand both for more frequent mail deliveries and for a faster internal mail service. These have been met by hourly deliveries and collections in the outbuildings. The findings of the survey were reported to the Administration Committee at the end of the last Parliament.

Costs for delivery are included in the overall cost of the service provided by Royal Mail and it is not possible to disaggregate them. However, the total charge for the enhanced service is expected to be not more than that paid previously.